Sequence controlling device



Filed March 22, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 9, 1932. w, STRQBRIDGE 1,870,933

SEQUENCE CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed March 22, 1929 :5 Sheets-Sheet 2- FAQ Aug, 9, 1932. w w. STROBRIDGE 1,876,933

SEQUENCE CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed March 22, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 5' IIQ'I'QK) 34-2 346 347 & M 3252 355 P Patented Aug. 9, 1932 sites srr \VILLIAIM STROBBIDGE, OF BALTIMOBE'MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THEBARTLETT HAY- WARD COIMPANY, F BALTIMORE, JPIIARYLAN D, A .CORIPOR-ATIONOFL MARYLAND SEQUENCE CONTROLLING DEVICE" Application filedMareh 22, 1929. Serial No. 349,194.

This invention relates to automatic sequence controls for valves, andparticularly to means for adjustably varying, or delaying, the action of certain valves ofa controlled set.

Though not necessarily limited to this particular field, the invention will be described s applied to the device set forth and claimed L IS. Patent No. 1,634,327, granted July 1927, on the invention of James S. Ken- ;edy. I V

This specific application of the device will explained with particular reference to igures6 and 14 of the Kennedy patent.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a mechanism functionally identical with that shown in Fig. 6 of the Kennedy patent with the present invention added, and illustrating the combination of the present invention with the machine disclosed in the Kennedy patent. l L

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the mechanism illustrated in the upper portion of Fig. 1 and showing how a plurality of independently adjustable delay units are driven simultaneously. r

Fig. 3 is a face view of the adjusting dial for a delay unit such as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective contactor ring.

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram showing'how such unit is connected into circuits such as are diagramnied in Fig. 14 of the Kennedy View of a delay'unit patent to delay opening of the stack valve Referring first to Figs. land 2 of the acv companying drawings, the master, or quarter-minute shaft is shown at 1. This shaft turns at4 R. P. M. in the device as 'commercially embodied. An auxiliary "quarterminute shaft 1s shown at 71'and 1s-dr1ven knurled to permit the angular adjustmentofv cam 'extension'72a relatively to shaft 71. The adjustment is indicatedby pointer 79. This conforms to theKennedy patent inall material particulars. i

. Other parts will be recognized as appearing in Fig. 6 of the Kennedy patent, as follows: bar 112,- spring 114,bearing support 116, pivot pin 117-, bellcrank 118 and its-fulcrum 119, support 120, pin 121, clutch spool I 122, and a part of driving pawl 2. Such minor differences in structural detail as appear involve no functional differences- A spur gear 301 is fast on shaft 1 and drives, through idler 302and gear 303, equal in size withgear 301, a second auxiliary from shaft 1 at the same angular speed by quarter-minute shaft 304. 'The shafts 304 r and 1 thus turn at equal angular speeds in the same angular direction. It thus becomes possible, without change of function, 'to

mount the drum 126 of the independent fifteen second. switch (erroneously numbered 125 on Fig. 6 of the Kennedy patent) on. the

shaft 304, and it is so'shown. It could be arranged as in the Kennedy patent.

and drives a line shaft 306 at a 2 to 1 speed reduction ratio through; the bevel gears 307 and 308. Shaft 306 is supported in bearings an d drives a plurality of identical delay units. These individually may control,for example, delays in stack opening, generator blast c1osing,"stack closing, oil'valve closing, carbureter blast valve opening, etc., as occasion may require- As the delay or time unit mechanisms are identical, only one need be described. r

The shaft 306 carries bevel gears 311, each of which drives a bevel gear 312 on a corTre:v

spending shaft 313, the drive giving a 3 to speed -reducti.on;= Thus the speed reduction fronishaft' l to'shaf 313 is 3 to 1 and since shaft 1fturns-4 R. P; M., shaft 313 turns 1 V R. P. M., or 240 in 30 seconds, the maximum delay to be provided for in the embodiment here discussed. All the shafts 313, and there is one for each delay unit, turn at this speed.

Two delay units are shown in Fig. 2, each of which conforms to the following description:

Each shaft 313 is mounted in a bearing 314 andis retained by a pinned collar 315. The shaft extendsto the left beyond collar 315 and is formed with an annular flange 316,

and near its left hand end has fixed in'it a,

transverse pin 317 which projects at its ends. A hollow sleeve 318 encircles the shaft and its flange 316 and has a longitudinal slot 319 engaged, by the ends of pin 317 to-hold the shaft and sleeve against relative rotation while allowing relative longitudinal motion. The fit of the sleeve on the shaft is purposely made loose to make sure that'the armature will'not stick. Screwed ontheright end of sleeve 318 is an annular cap 321 between wvhich and flange 316 is a thrust spring 322',

for releasing the clutch;

Loosely pinned to sleeve 3 18 is the com-' cited the solenoid draws sleeve 318 and disk 323 tothe left to engage the clutch against the resistance of spring 322.

A coiled spring 330 constantly urges shaft 326 to rotate clockwise (as viewed from its left hand end, Figs. 1 and 2). Its initial or startingwposition is variably determined by an angularly adjustable stop arm 331 mounted in the front plate of the machine to turn on an axis concentric with shaft 326. 'The arm 331 arrests on arm 332 fast on shaft 326 and may be set in its adjusted'positions by an arm 333 swinging over a dial 334 (see Fig. 3) and capable of being locked into selected ones of an arcuateseries of holes 335 on'fthe dial, by :1 screw pin- 336 threadedinto arm Since, as explained, shaft 313 turns 240 in 30 seconds, the maximum delay to be pro- .341 connected with the terminals of the Willd.

'ing I 328.]These 'subtend angles, slightly I greater than the maximum range of motion of shell 338 (in this case 240) and positively ensure, asa safety feature, deenergization of and is.

the coil and release of the clutch at the limit I of angular motion of the shell.

and 343 bear on these contacts.

Brushes 342 ring 344, and a second brush 347 contacts the extension 345 and thus electrically connects the brushes at'the end of'the delay period.

The general principle underlying the operation of the parts 301 to 345 just described, can be explained in general terms. master shaft is running. The operator sets the lever 333 for the desired delayor time interval. In doing so, he determines the initial po'sitionof shaft 326 and thus determines how far it mustrotate before contact 345 engages brush 347. i A switch K Figure 5, closes a circuitthrough the brush 342, solenoid 328 and brush'343 at the moment from which the delay period is measured. This engages the clutch; andcontact 345 begins to approach brufsh' 347. The resulting electrical connection of brushes 346, 347, establishes asecond circuit through some control device, such as a stack valve motor. and the response of this motor opens a switch provided for the purpose in the first-named circuit, deenergizing the solenoid, and by thus causing the clutch to disengage, allows the shaft 326 to turn backto the, initial position under the action of spring 330, ready for the next operation.

Connections for one particular delay function are'illustrated inFig. 5. This follows Fig. 14 of theKennedy patent and thefparts are numbered according to the convention specified. The switch operated by the stack valve solenoid P has an additional contactor 353 which the closed position bridges contacts 351 and 352. These contacts are included a circuit which leads from contact 215 towinding 328 to L2. Contact 215 in the closed position of the blower pressureresponsive switch- K is connected with L1.

Fig. 14 of Kennedy. V 7

"Switch K closes when the blower has started and developed a safe pressure. This effectsfthree results: (1) excites solenoid M to. open blas valve, (2) excites solenoid 328 to engage the delay clutch, and energizes contact 346so tha'tiwhen finger 345'engages contact 347 the stack valve solenoid P will be actuated from closed to open position. This in responding moves contactor 353' and 'deenergizes winding 328 so that the delay unit returns to initial position under the action of its spring. The rotary switch 354 provides for timed excitation of solenoids M. and P, as. provided in the Kennedy patent."

a greater numbermay be employedas oc- The 1 lVhile, as above noted, two delay units, are 7 shown in Figure 2 it is to be understood that noted'below throu hare ularse uencebased on 15 second intervals asdescribecl in the Kennedy patent above mentioned. At oer tain times it is desirable to delay certain operations, such as the opening of the stack,- the opening of thecarbureter blast valve,

the closing of the generator blast valve, the

closing of the stack valve, the closing of the oil valve or delay the starting of the back run, or in substance any valve operation which is controlled through the electrical sequence of the automatic control, as for example, a nominal sequence .of operation as follows:

Blow sequence: 7

1. Open blower steam valve;

2. Close generator steam valve.

3. Open generator blast valve.

' (Delay the opening of the stack valve for a predetermined period. If this unit is in operation it acts to delay the opening of the stack cap a prcdeter mined number or seconds for the purpose of purging the water gas set to the wash box instead of to the atmosphere.)

4. Open the stack valve.

.5. Open thecarbureter blast. valve.

Run sequence:

6. Close the carbureter blast "valve.

7. Close the generator blast valve.

8. Open the generator steam valve.

9. Close the stack valve.

10. Close blower steam valve,

11. Open oil valve. v

(Delay closing .of'theoil fora predetermined number of seconds to allowthe desired amount ofoil to enter the set.)

12. Close the oil valve.

13'. Reverse back run valve from up run .to back run. a

14. Reverse backirun valve from back run to up run. r

In addition to the delays above described it might be desirable to have carbureter blast opening delay or, as many operators favor,

the steam purge which would require a stack closing delay, or practically anyothervalve delay which might bejdesired and included in water gas operating sequence.

By the presence of. the electro magnetic clutching unit'above 'set forth variation in time interval for operation'may be had.

What is claimed is,

. 1. In an apparatus ior limiting .the'time interval of the operation of a sequence con trolling device, the combination of a circuit controller arranged toopen and close a circuit when moved in reverse directions; means urging said controller in one direction; means for limitingsuch motion; a member constantly moving in the opposite direction; an electrically actuated clutch for establishing a temporary driving connection between said member andsaid controller; an electrically operated device controlledby said circuit controller; a switch controlled circuit including the actuating meansior said electrically actuated clutch; and an electric switch in the last-named circuit arranged to be shifted by the operation of said electrically operated device. 1

2. In a sequence controlling device, the combination of a'circuit controller arranged to open and close a circuit when moved in reverse directions; means urging said'controller in cne'dircction; adjustable means for limiting such motion; a member constantly moving in the opposite direction; an electrically actuated clutch for establishing a temporary driving connection between said member and said controller; an electrically operated device controlled by said circuit controller; a switch controlled circuit including the actuating means for said electrically actuated clutch;. and an electric switch in the last-named circuit arrangedto beshi fted by the operation of said'electrically operated device. 1

3. In a sequence controlling device, the combination of aconstantly moving member;

a movable contactor; contacts with 'whlch' said ,contactor coacts; means urging said contactonaway from contacting position; an adjustablestop for limiting the motion of said contactor under the urge of said means; electrically. actuated meansv for connecting said contactor with said moving member to cause it; tomovetoward said contacts; and means for controlling. the circuit through said electrically actuated means.

4. In a sequence controlling device, the combination of a constantly moving member;

a. movable contactor; contacts with which 7 I s, means urging said contactor away from contacting position; an adt 1 1' h *t' t 'l gusaoie s op .or mitin t e mo .ion 0 SELlC contactor under the urge of said means; electrically actuated means forconnectlng said contactor wit. saidqmoving member to. cause it'to move toward said contacts; an electri-v said contactor coact Cally operated device rendered active by the ated meansyand a switchin the last-named circuit arranged to be openedfby said e'lec'f trio-ally operated device "whenthe latter re:

lav

sponds to the closing of said contactor against said contacts. a

5. In a sequence controlling device, the combination-of a constantly rotating mem ber; a rotatable contactor; contacts with which said contactor coacts; means urging said contactor to rotate in a circuit-breaking direction; an adjustable stop for limiting the motion of said contactor in suchdirection; an electrically actuated clutch for connecting said rotatable contactor with saidrotating member to cause the contactor to'move toward said contacts; and means for controlling the circuitthrough said electrically actuated clutch. V V

6. In a sequence controlling device the combination of a constantly rotating memher; a rotatable contactor; contacts with which said con'tactor coacts; means urging said contactor to rotate in a circuit-breaking direction; an adjustable stop for limiting the motion of said contactor in such direction and thereby determining the timeinterval of motion of the rotatable contactor; an electrically actuated clutch for connecting said rotatable contactor with said rotating member to cause the contactor to move toward said contacts; an electrically operated device rendered operative by the closing of said contactor against said contacts; a switchcontrolled circuit including the actuating means of electrically actuated clutch; and a switch. in the last-named circuit arranged to be openedby the operation of said electrically operated device.

7. In a sequence controlling device, the combination of a constantly rotating member; a rotatable contactor; contacts with which said contactor coacts; means urging said contactorto rotate in a circuit-breaking direction; an angularly adjustableflstop for limiting the motion of said contactor in such direction; a graduated dial for indicating the position of said stop; clamping means for I fixing said stopin adjusted positions; an electrically actuated clutch for connecting said rotatable contactor with said rotating vmember to cause the'contactor to move toward said contacts; and means for controlling the cir which said contactor coacts; means urging sald cont-actor to rotate in a circult-breaking 7 direction; an angularly adjustable stop for limiting the motion of said contactorin such direction; a graduated dial'for indicating the position of said stop; clamping means for fixing said fstop in adjusted positions;- an electrically actuated clutch including an armature, an exciting winding and a clutch member arranged to be actuated by said armature, said clutch when engaged connecting said rotatable contactor with said rotating member; and means for controlling the circuit through the winding of said electri cally actuated clutch.

9; In a sequence controlling device, the combination of a constantly" rotating member; a rotatable contactor; contacts with which said contactor coacts; means urging said contactor to rotate in a circuit-breaking direction; an angularly adjustable stop for c limiting the motion of said contactor in such direction; a graduated dial for mdicatlng the position of said stop; clamping means for fixing said stop 1n ad usted pos1t1ons;an electrically actuated clutch including awinding, an armature, a dental clutch member arranged 10. In a sequence: controlling device, the V combination of a circuit controller arranged to open andgclose a circult when moved in reverse directlons; means urging said controller in one direction; means for limiting such motion; a member constantly moving in the opposite direction; an electrically actuated clutch for establishing a temporary drivin g connection between said member and said controller; an electrically operated device controlled by said circuitcontroller; a switch controlled circuit including the actuating means for said electrically. actuated clutch;

an electric switch in thelast-named circuit arranged to be shifted by the operation-of said electrically operated device; and independent means rendered effective by overtravel of said circuit controller to disengage said clutch i 11. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a constantly rotating shaft; an armature slidablymounted thereon and 'rotatable therewith; a second shaft in alignment with said rotating shaft; a solenoid winding carried by .the second shaft; cooperative clutch elements associated with the armature andthe'second shaft respectively; an arm extending from the sec; ond shaft; and a manually'adjustable stop standing inthe path of movement of said arm for limiting the rotation of said second shaft. 12, An apparatus as set forth in-claim 11, wherein a springis emp'loyed for returning the second'shaftto its initial angularposition when the clutch elements are released;

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification. l

q. a WILLIAM srnonnmen;

cnnrmcara or CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,870,933. August 9, 1932.

WILLIAM STROBRIDGE.

It is herehy certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, lines 84, 101 and 113, page 4, lines 3, 16, 36, 51, 69 and 91, claims 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, respectively, after the word "In" insert the words an apparatus for limiting the time interval of the operation of; page 4, line 43, claim 7, after the word "direction", and before the semi-colon insert the words and thereby determining the time interval of motion of the rotatable contactor; and that the said Letters Patent should he read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 22nd day of November, A. D. 1932.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

